🇲🇽 Monterrey vs 🇨🇦 Montreal

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇲🇽

Monterrey

Mexico

$1,231–$1,949/mo

$21,224 – $33,603 / month (local)

🇨🇦

Montreal

Canada

$2,092–$3,313/mo

C$2,906 – C$4,601 / month (local)

Montreal is 70% more expensive

Monterrey wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryMonterrey (USD)Montreal (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$923–$1,436$1,569–$2,441🟢 Monterrey
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$487–$769$828–$1,308🟢 Monterrey
Utilities$38–$74$65–$126🟢 Monterrey
Groceries$195–$292$331–$497🟢 Monterrey
Eating out (mid-range meal)$26–$46$44–$78🟢 Monterrey
Public transport (monthly)$49–$59$83–$100🟢 Monterrey
Internet & Mobile$15–$26$26–$44🟢 Monterrey
Gym membership$18–$33$31–$57🟢 Monterrey
Cinema ticket$7–$9$12–$16🟢 Monterrey
Monthly total (single)$1,231–$1,949$2,092–$3,313🟢 Monterrey

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing7.3 / 10 · 6.3 / 10
Monterrey▲ better
Montreal
Safety8.8 / 10 · 9.6 / 10
Monterrey
Montreal▲ better
Healthcare8.8 / 10 · 7.9 / 10
Monterrey▲ better
Montreal
Education8.4 / 10 · 7.5 / 10
Monterrey▲ better
Montreal
Environment9.2 / 10 · 8.3 / 10
Monterrey▲ better
Montreal
Economy7.5 / 10 · 8.3 / 10
Monterrey
Montreal▲ better
Culture8.1 / 10 · 8.9 / 10
Monterrey
Montreal▲ better
Internet8.5 / 10 · 7.6 / 10
Monterrey▲ better
Montreal

Who should choose which city?

Choose Monterrey if…

  • ✓You want lower typical monthly costs than Montreal
  • ✓Industrial capital
  • ✓US trade
  • ✓Mountains
  • ✓Manufacturing

Choose Montreal if…

  • ✓You're happy to pay more for what Montreal offers vs Monterrey
  • ✓Culture
  • ✓Food
  • ✓Affordable vs Toronto
  • ✓Students

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